80's Preludes were bad *** cars...

Remember driving one with flip-up headlights, listening to some VH on this "new thing" called a CD.

... Good times.

 

Yes good times indeed. VH's jump was one of the first tunes I could knock out easily on the synth back then. LOL. Got the first every Alpine CD player back in '86. It came with a big freakin separate radio tuner module since they couldn't pack it in the same 1 din space with the CD assembly.

 

Ok, so I have both.....My cayman S is in the for sale section and I've had my C4S for a year. I actually sold my 07 Cayman S to buy the C4S....then bought another Cayman S through my family's dealership just to enjoy through the summer. Anyways, I owned two 996s before the C4S. One was a 99 Carrera in 2001 and the other was an 01 Cabriolet in 2003. I've had experience with pretty much all of the 996s (the only car that has ever terrified me was an 04 GT2). The GT2 story will be good for another time though

What I noticed immediately about the C4S is that it feels like it has so much more torque. My first cayman S had the softronic tune, plenum, sprint booster, PASM, and an SSk. My C4S was stock when I first bought it and I immediately noticed the torque over the modified 987S. Now, my C4S has the Fabspeed Carbon intake, FVD headers, 100 cell cats, PSE, and an FVD SSK. The difference is very noticeable. I highly doubt the Cayman S is more nimble on a track (remember the C4S got the turbo suspension, wide body, and brakes). Also remember that it was a lot more expensive when new. I like the little extras like the alcantera head liner, full leather, etc. Most Caymans didn't even get power seats.

Don't get me wrong, I do like the Cayman S. I love the mid-engine (the NSX is one of my all time favorite cars). The Cayman feels like a reserved NSX to me.....which I think is what kills it for me. I find myself wanting to drive the NSX instead of the Cayman.

My pick would be the C4S, but if you don't have an NSX, the Cayman S might just be for you. Both have their perks, but as the gentleman above mention.....they are different animals.

 

Excellent comparison!

HOWEVER - after reading your post, all I saw was ~"The Cayman S would be the better car if it had more power."

Maybe I need a new prescription...

 

......maybe, but I really like the extra weight on the front axle of the C4S. I don't see the car as a heavier automobile nor does it feel heavier to me. I see it as a more balanced 911. If we were comparing a 996 Carrera to a 996 C4S.....The C4S, to me, is 1000% better than the standard 996 because they are not as prone to oversteer.....and understeer. I find the rear engine/rwd very unpredictable, but then again, Im used to a mid engine layout. The C4S feels like a better balanced machine that performs like a rear wheel drive when needed......AWD yet it allows you to slide it and break the tail end loose. To me, that's more fun and more forgiving than even the mid-engine layout. I think Im in love with the confidence I feel when driving the C4S. Its a lot easier to drive hard without it hurting you.

See, I went from a 98 NSX to a Cayman S, then to the C4S. I found myself missing the NSX, so I bought a 92 along with the C4S......then I got to thinking that maybe I needed a Cayman S and a C4S LOL......well, to make a long story short, I have an 03 C4S, a 92 NSX, and an 07 Cayman S sitting outside.......so I can pretty much compare anything you want ha ha. Last month, we found out that my wife and I are expecting, so I am suspecting that they all will be for sale before long

 

I have done substantial track driving in my C4S. ( the photo is from Watkins Glen ). In the rain the C4S is hands down great. I pass everything but turbos. For the track an upgraded suspension is NECESSARY. The stock suspension sucks for track driving.

I also DD it. It is a lot of fun, but noisy.

I previously had a 993 and the difference is that I drive this, but I wore the 993.

You will have fun in both. Drive them a lot then choose. Or buy both

JB in NJ

 

I would do 996 !

 

If you want a true track beast it's hard to beat the C5 Z06 on a bang for your buck basis. And then get a nice 996 for street duty.

 

The Cayman is definitely the better track car. Needs a few upgrades to make it reliable but these are fairly easy.

 

Chants: Vid E O ... Vid E O ... Vid E O!!!